Category: Sackville’s Memorial park

From the website of the Canadian Voices for Liberty, we learn that its mission is at follows: “… we are dedicated to empowering all individuals to exercise their democratic right to speak freely, fostering heightened ideological diversity and civic harmony. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, we seek to dismantle the barriers to freely exercising this right, ensuring that all Canadians have the opportunity to contribute to an open and inclusive dialogue” (https://tinyurl.com/2fsy33hx).

Isn’t it BOTH reassuring and refreshing to know that there is a new Canadian organization devoted to empowering citizens to express their diverse opinions freely? Indeed, it believes that “freedom of speech is not just a right, it’s a cornerstone of democracy“. All voices are welcome!

As an example of first voice on its blog, we can read a piece by Ms. Alissa Perez, Director of Publications for the Canadian Voices for Liberty. Entitled “Ethnic Minorities and Obstructions to Freedom of Speech“, it focuses on the discrimination against the Uyghur Muslims who find themselves hiding their culture to be safe. How sad that “in China, the Uyghur language has been banned in schools and has disappeared from libraries and bookshops” (https://tinyurl.com/yy9b7ndf). If you are interested, you may wish to sign up to receive a newsletter or, if you prefer, take the time to visit the website at your convenience.

To conclude this brief post, gratefully and fondly, Bambi will end with the words of hope of this non-profit organization: “In a diverse society, the principle of free speech stands as the cornerstone of democracy, illuminating the path toward understanding, progress, and unity. Regardless of political leanings, free speech empowers individuals to express their beliefs, challenge authority, and engage in meaningful dialogue”.

Thank you/Merci Canadian Voices for Liberty. Long live the essence of your mission, the diversity of opinions. Long live liberty and democracy. Long live Canada!

Is it true that they will finally return to their loved ones… but as dead bodies?

Nothing is 100 percent confirmed yet in the news, in the facts in a few hours, and in the DNA testing that will follow.

Bambi cannot dare to imagine one drop of the TURMOIL of the Bibas and Lifshitz families. She sends them her heart, with a prayer, across the miles.

The Bibas family members were abducted from their own home. Cute baby Kfir was only 9 months old. His adorable brother, Ariel, was four years old on the doomed October 7, 2023. Their parents did their utmost to protect them. How can we forget the SAD image of this scared mom holding her two little ones?

Tragically, her own mother and father were confirmed dead on October 21, 2023 (https://shorturl.at/qTs2N). May their souls rest in peace.

May G-d/God/Allah (yes of the same love and mercy) know how to comfort Mr. Yarden Bibas’ devastated (spouse’s and dad’s) heart while he is still adjusting to his own release.

In addition to the Bibas, Bambi sends her heartfelt condolences to the Lifshitz family. Their beloved Mr. Oded Lifshitz (kidnapped at age 84) was a journalist and peace activist, according to the Jerusalem Post (https://tinyurl.com/4c7djfwk). Do you know to what cause he dedicated his life to? Yes, to helping others and, ironically, to transporting sick Gazans to Israeli hospitals. There is a reason his grandchildren call him “Super Grandpa“. May his big heart inspire us all, to remain in contact with our own humanity, and may his memory be eternal.

As reported by La Presse, Ms. Antonine Maillet shared in 2019 the following: “I want to write until I’m 100, if I live to see them”. She lived until 95.

May her soul rest in peace and her memory, in heaven, be as eternal as the beauty of the characters she created and whom she considered like her children, including but of course not limited to the La Sagouine (https://tinyurl.com/ydr3y27u).

Related to the above, and to cite Ms. Maillet’s own words, which she expressed in an interview with La Presse in 2022 (https://tinyurl.com/ydr3y27u): “The writer’s mission is the same as that of a mother who gives birth to children. I gave birth to a few hundred children: my characters. I owe them everything. And they are stronger than me“.

Bambi sends her condolences to your family and loved ones, Ms. Antonine Maillet.

Thank you (MERCI!), for having shared stories from Acadia with the entire world.

Indeed, readers from Bouctouche, New Brunswick, the Maritimes, Montreal, Canada, France, and the “francophonie” of the entire world, including Lebanon, are mourning today.

Mourning? Yes, for sure, yet we are all forever enriched by your immense talent. Forever grateful for the good times… and for the everlasting inspiration.

For the first time in 25 years, the new Lebanese government, under the leadership of Mr. Nawaf Salam, has approved the state’s monopoly of arms. Indeed, it dared to eliminate the pro-Hezbollah statement, “Army, people, resistance” (https://tinyurl.com/4w5838ww). Is this the beginning of an era of sovereignty, and hopefully eventually peace, in Lebanon?

To conclude this post, Bambi will share a Lebanese song by Mr. Nassif Zeytoun, entitled “Bi Salam” [In Peace]. It is a call to let people live in peace, without wars, destruction, and injustice. The Arabic lyrics are sub-titled in English, starting at 0.48 minutes.

Once again, NO to violence to any place of worship in Canada, including synagogues.

As Rabbi Lisa Grushcow expressed in her bilingual message: “enough in enough: stand against hate“.

In addition to Rabbi Grushcow’s Facebook written message, you may wish to watch her brief video, if you are interested (https://tinyurl.com/yt8mbs25).

Of note, Emanu-El-Beth Sholom temple is a beautiful community described as follows on its own website: “We draw on Judaism’s wisdom to nourish a spiritual, educational, and cultural community. We also reach beyond our walls, taking pride in building bridges, promoting dialogue, and creating a world of justice and peace: the work we call Tikkun Olam” (https://tinyurl.com/59tp6fn6; https://tinyurl.com/mr3pjvvf).

For those who do not know it, “tikkun” refers to “healing” in Hebrew. It literally means “repairing the world” [“Tikkun Olam”]. This beautiful Jewish concept is deeply rooted in social justice.

Bearing the above in mind, isn’t it sad to vandalize the building of such peaceful synagogue with a swastika graffiti (https://shorturl.at/fs5z; https://tinyurl.com/3ypwvmtd)?

When it is not a Jewish girl school being shot at in Toronto, it is a synagogue being attacked in Montreal, Winnipeg, and elsewhere.

Why are our fellow citizens of Jewish ancestry being intimidated again and again?

When will this pattern of criminal vandalism end in our country and abroad?

NO

No to violence in the streets of Beirut.

No to the law of the jungle in Lebanon.

No to burning cars of UNIFL peacekeepers in Beirut.

No to harming any member of the UNIFL peacekeepers. May he heal smoothly.

No to violence against the Lebanese armed forces. May the memory of those who lost their lives be eternal. May the injured heal smoothly.

No to burning the Lebanese flag in the streets of Beirut.

No to waving an Iranian flag or any foreign flag in the streets of Beirut.

No to violence by anyone (against anyone), including the Hezbullah (and/or their allies).

No to intimidation of the Lebanese authorities.

No to intimidation of Beirutis.

No to wars in Lebanon. ENOUGH.

No to the interference of any foreign entity, including Iran now (enough is enough).

YES

Yes to wisdom, respect, civility, peace, and love.

Yes to accepting defeat gracefully (it is part of wars and life).

Yes to agreements between to the land of the cedars and the international community.

Yes to the process of change, moving forward not backward.

Yes to the Lebanese government.

Yes to the Lebanese armed forces.

Yes to only the Lebanese police.

Yes to the Lebanese innocent people who deserve to finally be dignified and live in peace.

English lyrics follow this French song, which were written by Mr. Fady Bassy and Ms. Anne Marie Gaspard (https://shorturl.at/VzxzH). Happy Valentine’s Night/Day/Following Day… and entire year, hopefully filled with care, friendships, and kindness ❤️!

“Cherish and respect others with the same fervour and compassion that you afford yourself.

The consequences of our actions will inevitably mirror the intentions and efforts we invest.

In times of hardship and struggle,

When you find yourself navigating precarious situations,

Make the effort to act and you will observe the results of your actions.

Love will become your support and guiding force.

Embrace love in all its forms abundantly and without hesitation.

There will be moments when clarity eludes you,

Especially regarding the paths and diversions taken by those around you.

It’s challenging to understand the choices and journeys of others in your life.

Even when you struggle to grasp the situation,

The reasons and methods behind their actions may remain opaque.

In moments of self-doubt and uncertainty,

Remember to uphold this principle of loving others just as you love yourself.

For the outcomes we experience are directly linked to what we have chosen to cultivate.

In those challenging moments,

When life feels like a tightrope walk,

Make an effort and you will witness the implications of your choices.

Allow love to be your strength and safety net.

Endlessly dedicate yourself to love and kindness.

In the face of intolerance,

Maintain your faith and assurance within yourself.

Irrespective of the beliefs and values you hold.

If someone tries to silence or hinder you,

From expressing your truth and perspective,

Adhere to the principle of kindness and understanding.

If another individual hurts you,

Curses you or expresses disdain towards you,

Choose to respond with wisdom and restraint.

In opposition to the urge to retaliate,

That seeks confrontation and conflict,

The only viable way forward is to respond with love.

Continue to love others just as you love yourself.

For the fruits of our actions will always reflect the seeds we choose to sow.

In moments of struggle,

When life feels uncertain and precarious,

Put in the effort and observe the unfolding of love’s power.

Let love be the force that carries you through.

Devote yourself entirely to the practice of love”.

At age 20, Bambi had a job interview for her first one-year-long clinical internship in developmental psychology at a psychiatric unit of a children’s hospital in Montreal, Québec. Her potential supervisor surprised her with the following question: “what would you do if one of the patients is Israeli?” She cannot recall her precise words, but her reply was something along those lines: I will interact with him or her exactly in the same way as I will treat other patients. By this I mean with respect, humanity, and compassion. She recalls having seen a look of kind approval in the eyes of this man who later became her clinical mentor or supervisor.

For Bambi, treating people with the same respect and compassion is what is the most natural matter for her, whether the individual would have been born in Québec City, Tel Aviv, Damascus, Tehran, Washington, Gaza, Berlin, Oka, Kinshasa, Beirut, Moscow, Kiev, Yerevan, and/or Baku. What matters here is the person in front of us, not parts of his/her complex identity or even his/her most significant part of identity, whether ethnolinguistic, religious, sexually related or tribal of any sort. Same for political preferences or favourite TV stations (often related to the latter), etc.

How could it not be the case when Bambi’s deep values are those of the Red Cross she was a volunteer with in Beirut during her teenage years: Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, universality, etc.? What does this concretely mean in the context of the Lebanese civil war? It means that an injured or a suffering person in front of you is vulnerable. He/she needs your voluntary service, regardless of being civilian, militia person (of any kind), Lebanese, Palestinian, Syrian or Israeli? By principle, you treat any suffering individual with humanity, impartiality, and neutrality.

Bearing the above thoughts in mind, it is with great sadness that Bambi read today in international media, including the Times of Israel (https://tinyurl.com/53wy73e3), about “two nurses in Australia suspended for saying they would kill Israeli patients“. Scary to be medically treated one day by such nurses, whether you are of Israeli origins or not. So imagine if you happen to be an Israeli, Australian Jew, someone they might think you are associated with… or if you simply happen to have a Mediterranean look?

To conclude this post, why are we allowing ourselves to become too blinded by rage, hate, ignorance, or intolerance? Why aren’t we in contact with our humanity anymore? Without the latter, how can we thrive in a helping profession where we are supposed to know how to welcome others’ humanity and vulnerabilities? Bambi is asking all these questions and she was 10 years old when her Beirut was occupied by the Israelis. She is saying so, and like many readers of this blog, she remains concerned by war in her birth country. A war between Hezbollah and Israel, which is once again occupying Lebanon in its fight against a pro-Iranian Lebanese milita, which began attacking it it on October 8, 2023. Have these young nurses ever met an Israeli citizen in real life?

Bambi loves the guitar in all its shapes, sizes, or origins. The Middle Eastern oud is a variation of this magical musical instrument (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oud).

To highlight the theme of this day, selected by God knows whom, Bambi wants to share a few songs by a highly gifted Lebanese singer. Her name is Ms. Shreen AbuSaad whom she randomly found on YouTube a while ago. She devoted a couple of posts to her talent.

The first song is a lovely Fairouz’s piece about the end of the summer season.

The second piece is performed acapella. Yes, here the guitar is just a picture :). This beautiful song, which Bambi adores, is by Ms. Yasmeen Ali from Egypt. It is about people who come into our lives, some touch our hearts deeply, and those who leave it. As the song goes, why are we so sad when this happens since life naturally keeps going on?

The third song does not need any introduction. It is sadly forever associated with war times. Yes, it is For Beirut [or Le Beirut in Arabic] by Fairouz.

As for the last song, it features the oud and it was composed by Mr. Ziad Rahbani. Yes, he is Fairouz’s own son! It is about Lebanon’s tough living conditions and it has a touch of social sarcasm.

Bambi hopes you will enjoy all these melodies. Long live the guitar!

After reading about this story (https://shorturl.at/K3f7G), Bambi could not help not to ask the two questions of the title. While waiting for an answer, especially with regard to the second one, here is a song for you, dear readers.